The Minister of Youth Affairs Hon. Mohamed Bangura yesterday, 6th September 2018, played host to the Country Representative of UNIDO, Madam Mariatu A. Swaray at his 2nd Floor Stadium Hostels Office. The Minister, heartily welcomed the Country Representative and her team. He took time to share with her the different projects the ministry is undertaking to help empower young people for a progressive and prosperous Sierra Leone. He started by reminding that, " we cannot succeed in isolation, thus the reason why we continue to seek for more collaboration, coordination and partnership with line Ministries, local and international organisations."

The Country Representative of UNIDO-SL expressed her thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and assured the Minister of room for strong partnership, coordination and collaboration with the Youth Ministry. She stated that her organization is a specialized United Nations Agency that assists developing countries and countries with economies in transition in their industrialization efforts. She further stated that they deal directly with industries especially those that are led by Youth or women or whose membership is made up of 70-80% Youth or women.

As an organization, UNIDO according to the country representative has identified three value chains crops namely: Palm oil, Cassava and Cocoa that they are concerned with the framework of increasing Sierra Leone’s economic competitiveness through enhanced productivity and trade compliance.. She, however, made it clear that the organisation deals not with production but how to add value to the products produced.

Over the years, UNIDO has been involved in providing technical training and support to Youth led cooperatives in marketable skills, while providing the same with equipment needed to carry on with their trade and technical support.
She submitted that her organization is ready and willing for a strong partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs as this would directly benefit young people. She further mentioned that her organization had established Growth Centres over the years but they had fallen with the cracks. There is an urgent need for the revival of these growth centres, the Fisheries and Marine School and the Youth to Youth Project. She extended invitation to the Ministry to participate in their training of trainers program which will take place on 17th of September 2018.

The Minister of Youth Affairs, ended with the closing courtesies and assured the Country Representative that in him they have found a trusted partner that will help utilize donor funds in a transparent and accountable manner for the development of young people.